The richest Greek tomb discovery in Bulgaria –

Topolovgrad of Bulgaria unearthed the grave of a Thracian warrior and his horses so abundant that archaeologists consider him the local ruler. The history of the funeral dates back to the second half of the 2nd century BC, and the goods in his tomb were so special in craftsmanship and materials that it was the richest tomb of the Hellenistic era found in Bulgaria.

Last year, a team from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences dug a mound in the village of Kapitan Petko Voivoda as part of a rescue operation and then built the cables that connect the township to the solar park. They found the remains of the warrior buried on his head in the mound, a symbol of leadership and honor in ancient Thracian culture. Preliminary studies show that he was between 35 and 40 years old when he died. The deceased were buried in large quantities of ceramic and glass containers, all imported from several important production centers in the Mediterranean. In addition to the wreath, his jewelry also includes silver bracelets, a silver ring and a silver fibula of high-end craftsmanship. A beautiful set of weapons was also found in the grave, including an iron spear, an iron shield boss and a Greek marsh bracelet with a golden handle with a semi-precious stone that is unique in archaeological records.

His war horse was found next to his left. The horse was fascinated, almost as rich as his warrior himself. On his head, gold, silver and bronze medals were found on the horse’s seat belt. Their high relief depictions of mythical figures include Hercules fighting in the giant Antaeus, and different animals including bulls and goats, who play roles in Hercules’ labor. These are works of high-level metallurgy.

The team linked the nearest grave to another wealthy funeral and found 2024 under a small tomb, just 60 meters north. The site was also excavated by Dr. Chem’s team, revealing the Thracian nobles associated with Roman military power and including rare gold jewelry. Together, these findings suggest that the region was an important cemetery for the late Greek elite Thracian warriors.

“This is the second year in a row that the land around Kapitan Petko Voivoda reveals extraordinary archaeological treasures,” the researchers said. “The ongoing excavation not only enriches our understanding of Thracian culture, but also raises new questions about the intersection of local traditions and Roman influences.”

Currently, these findings are being prepared for protection and public display. The artifacts discovered in 2024 have been restored and placed in a specially built vault at the Topolovgrad History Museum. Newly discovered artifacts are expected to join the series in 2025, further enhancing the museum’s role as the regional center of Thrace’s history and heritage.